Mike Price, who was training director for the British Association of Removers from December 1987 until June 2003, died on 24 March, 2019. He was 81.

In that role, he made a major contribution to improving the quality and breadth of training offered to the industry and helped to raise standards across the industry both at operative and management level. 

Mike joined BAR from the dairy industry, having previously completed 23 years’ service from age 16 in the Royal Engineers.  He brought with him a range of skills you would expect from an ex-serviceman: good organisation, a belief in the ability of training and education to improve performance, a desire to develop our young people as leaders of tomorrow.  At the time he arrived at BAR Training, it was going through a painful transformation from being funded by the Road Transport Industry Training Board levy payers to a form of self-funding. 

As part of these changes, Mike worked closely with Brian Charles to develop and install an accreditation scheme for operative staff skills.  Later, he fronted BAR’s bid for government funding through a Sector Challenge project, resulting in the award of £120,000 to develop a range of books and video guides to define Operative Best Practice and to make it deliverable easily in-company.  The project also included setting up a network of Regional Training Centres and together with Dennis Bishop, they trained a whole generation of trainers able to deliver training in-company and through the Regional Training Centres.  The project was also a major financial boost to BAR with sales of books and videos exceeding £300,000.

Mike was also a stalwart of the Packer of the Year Competition.  He organised it at heat and final level, sorted out the judges, sorted out the prizes and arranged publicity for the winners and the runners-up.  As well as lecturing on management courses himself in Health & Safety and other subjects, he acted as co-ordinator for the Institute Exam Committee.  Many of the people managing in the industry today obtained their National or International CPC through Mike’s work.   

While Mike was first and foremost the trainer and an administrator, he made the time to visit members and Areas.  He knew the membership, and the membership knew him.  He raised the profile of training within BAR and standards considerably during his 16-year stint. 
Many will remember his sense of humour and fondness for a party.  During his time with BAR, he and his wife, Janice, were regular attenders of the BAR conference and he always entered into the spirit of the BAR party night.  His version of Adam Ant scarred the memories of many!     

Mike had been in poor health in his latter years, suffering from Parkinson’s, but he always maintained a cheerful outlook on life.  He leaves a widow, Janice, two sons in David and Nigel and four granddaughters.

Photo: Mike Price